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Can Ai Perform Inductive Bible Study? A Case Study And Implications For Applying Ai In Biblical Studies, Shishou Chen

The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies

This article explores the potential of employing generative AI in biblical studies, focusing on Chat GPT’s strengths and limitations to perform Inductive Bible Study (IBS). Using the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:3b–9) as a case study, the author evaluates Chat GPT’s ability to carry out core IBS tasks, including division and the identification of Major Structural Relationships (MSRs) in Matthew and in Matthew 13, as well as interpreting Matt 13:3b–9. The study concludes that ChatGPT can serve as a valuable research assistant but cannot replace human scholars. It also proposes a responsible human-AI collaboration model, explores pedagogical applications, and …

Who Are The Sons Of God And Nephilim In Genesis 6?: An Exegetical, Theological, And Scientific Evaluation, Samuel Ken-En Gan

The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies

Scholars debate the meaning of bene ha-elohim and Nephilim in Gen 6:1–4, interpreting the former as either spiritual or human, and the latter as giants or hybrids. Using historical exegesis, linguistic analysis, and genetic insights, this study concludes “sons of God” in Gen 6 refers specifically to humans, aligning with the biblical creation mandate of “kind after kind.” Although elsewhere the term may denote spiritual beings, this paper argues for a context-specific human interpretation in Gen 6, while acknowledging the broader biblical usage covering both angels and humans.

The Journal Of Inductive Biblical Studies

The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies

No abstract provided.

Spiritual Friendship: A Metaphor For Integrating Attachment Theory Into Classic Christian Spiritual Direction, D. Gregory Mcelyea

The Asbury Journal

This article originated in the author’s doctoral dissertation. It refines and expands the literature review with respect to attachment processes in Christian spirituality. The central thesis is that insights from attachment theory, specifically as framed in Todd Hall’s “relational spirituality” model, can be integrated into the scope of classic Christian spiritual direction. The goal is to reimagine the dynamics of insecure attachment to God as expressions of dissonance in what Adrian van Kaam called the intrasphere, which includes the disciple’s emotional life, and the intersphere, which involves the disciple’s relational life.

In fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of …

From The Archives: Barbed-Wire Christians: Asbury, E. Stanley Jones, And Japanese American Internment Camps, Robert A. Danielson

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

For All The Saints: Sanctification, Autism, And A Rethinking Of Sainthood, Dean G. Blevins

The Asbury Journal

This article explores the intersection of sanctification, worship, and autism within Wesleyan traditions, arguing that autistic persons embody a truer vision of sainthood by challenging the “cult of normalcy” that often governs congregational life. Drawing on historical perspectives of sainthood, theological anthropology, and contemporary disability theology, the essay reconsiders how worship practices shape or exclude neurodiverse participation. By reframing sainthood through neurodiversity, the paper proposes that autistic presence in worship offers both theological insight and ecclesial renewal, calling the church toward adaptive practices of hospitality, holiness, and community that reflect the Spirit’s inclusive work.

Book Review: "Love Divine: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology", Colton Castle

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

I Saw This On Tiktok: Examining The Nature Of Memorable Health-Related Messages On Tiktok, Andrea L. Meluch, Rhiannon Kallis

Iowa Journal of Communication

This qualitative study examines the foci and characteristics of health-related TikTok videos users find memorable. Specifically, this analysis applies the theory of memorable messages to understand what types of health-related messages on social media are memorable to users and the impact of these messages on health-related behaviors. Participants included college students who use TikTok and recalled a memorable health-related TikTok video. Participants identified (a) exercise and fitness, (b) nutrition and diet, and (c) mental health as the most common memorable health-related topics in TikTok videos. Study findings also indicated that participants often have a strong emotional reaction to memorable content …

New Fossil Mygalomorph Spiders (?Idiopidae, Pycnothelidae) From The Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation Of Brazil, Elis Maria Gomes Santana

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The infraorder Mygalomorphae represents one of the earliest-diverging lineages of spiders, but its fossil record remains sparse relative to the modern diversity of the group. This is a reflection of both ecological and preservational biases, such as the predominantly fossorial habits of many mygalomorphs and the strong bias of the spider fossil record toward amber deposits. Compression fossils from rock deposits are therefore especially important for documenting the evolutionary history of the group. Here, two new mygalomorph fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation, Araripe Basin (Brazil) are described. The first specimen is tentatively referred to ?Idiopidae based on male …

Fairness Without Demographic Attributes In Medical Vision–Language Models, Ahsan Habib Akash

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Vision–language models (VLMs) and the embedding models that underlie them have become the default representation layer for multimodal artificial intelligence. Trained by contrastive alignment over enormous, loosely curated image–text corpora, they inherit the demographic skew of that data, and they encode it in the geometry of the shared embedding space itself. The consequence is a model that performs unevenly across demographic groups even when no protected attribute is ever supplied as an input. In consumer applications this is an equity problem; in medicine it is a safety problem, because an embedding that is systematically less discriminative for one subpopulation translates …

Promoting The Use Of Smoke Evacuation Systems In The Operating Room: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Andrea Leigh Drayer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Surgical smoke produced during procedures poses serious health risks to operating

room (OR) staff and patients, yet many hospitals, including an academic medical center in

northern West Virginia, have underutilized smoke evacuation systems. The imminent

enforcement of West Virginia House Bill 4376, mandating smoke evacuation use, provided both

urgency and opportunity for an intervention.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project

was to increase timely compliance with the use of smoke evacuation systems during all smoke-

producing procedures, ensuring alignment with safety standards and legislative requirements.

Methods: A systematic evidence review of academic …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Improve Central Line Insertion Care Using An Evidence- Based Practice Checklist, Jonathan Andre Barbour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Central line infections in a 33-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at a large academic medical center located in the northeastern United States were increasing for patients after cardiovascular surgery. These infections could, potentially, lead to longer hospital stays and lost revenues for the health system. A project explored the implementation of an evidence-based practice (EBP) sterile procedure standardized checklist during central line insertions

Purpose: A quality improvement (QI) initiative project sought to improve central line insertion compliance while monitoring the bedside implementation of an EBP checklist.

Intervention: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Central line-associated bloodstream …

An Evidence-Based Practice Initiative To Promote Debriefing Within The Obstetrics Surgical Team, Rachel Lynn Runatz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Operating room debriefing is an evidence-based strategy shown to improve communication, efficiency, patient safety, and safety culture; however, debriefing is inconsistently performed in obstetric operating rooms due to workflow, cultural, and time-related barriers.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to increase the frequency of debriefings in the Birthing Center operating rooms at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital through implementation of a nurse-driven, evidence-based debriefing initiative.

Intervention: A nurse-driven debriefing protocol was implemented using the Iowa Implementation for Sustainability Framework. Interventions included staff education, accessible laminated debriefing documents, identification of nurse champions, leadership support, and …

Improving Sedative Administration In Patients Receiving Paralytics During Intubation: A Quality Improvement Initiative Within A Large Academic Medical Center In West Virginia, David Bryon Underwood

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Awake paralysis (AWP) occurs when long-acting neuromuscular blockers outlast short-acting sedatives during intubation, leaving patients chemically paralyzed but conscious. This highlights the critical need for timely post-intubation sedation.

Background: A 2024 review in the Neurological Critical Care Unit (NCCU) revealed that 72% of patients who received rocuronium were not given a post-intubation sedative. The difference in duration of action of paralyzing agents versus sedatives can result in patients being conscious while paralyzed, potentially resulting in hemodynamic instability and psychological harm.

Purpose: The quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce the number of patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents without post-intubation sedation. …

Video-Based Heart Failure Education: A Feasibility Study, Avery Pivont

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Video-Based Heart Failure Education: A Feasibility Study

Avery Pivont

Background:  Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization in the U.S., contributing to high readmission rates and significant healthcare costs. Many of these readmissions are preventable and often stem from inadequate patient education. Effective patient education is a critical component of HF management; however, many healthcare facilities lack specialized HF nurse educators, resulting in inconsistent patient education.

Problem Statement: A quality improvement team at a large academic hospital identified increased heart failure (HF) readmission rates across an entire health system, largely attributed to inconsistent discharge education and limited availability …

The Coal Mining Kids: Constructing A Working-Class Gay World In West Virginia (1900-2001), Hannah Ford

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Located in southwestern West Virginia, Bluefield has been the site of Bluefield State University, the Norfolk & Western Railway headquarters, the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency, and the Shamrock Bar. The Shamrock was a gay bar opened by Helen Compton, in operation from the late 1960’s until 2001. Bluefield’s early industrial success in coal mining and the railroad quickly urbanized the space between 1900 and 1930, facilitating a diverse, working-class cultural foundation for Bluefield’s gay world. In the 1960’s, urban renewal efforts initiated by the War on Poverty, in combination with public awareness of homosexuality induced by the Lavender Scare, set the …

Macroinvertebrate Response To Two Highway Construction Projects In West Virginia, Brenden Nauman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Highway development and construction are frequently required to provide efficient transportation for an increasing human population. Specific to the Appalachian region, highway development has been a major goal since the mid 1900’s, with the aim of promoting economic growth and ease of travel. While highways provide necessary services to humans, their construction and presence often impact nearby waterways through multiple mechanisms including sedimentation and urbanization. To understand the degree of impact, streams are often monitored using biological data, which can be used to quantify effects. In this work I used freshwater macroinvertebrate communities to monitor changes in stream health surrounding …

The Effects Of Music Therapy On Anxiety And Sedation Requirements For Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients Undergoing Regional Anesthesia: An Evidence-Based Practice Pilot Initiative, Kyra Marie Savrese

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Excessive noise in the operating room negatively impacts patient comfort and outcomes, particularly in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia who have the potential for awareness.

Background: Research demonstrates that music therapy is a low-cost, low-risk intervention that reduces perioperative anxiety and sedative requirements. Literature supports the use of music as an adjunct to anesthesia care, especially in orthopedic populations.

Purpose: At J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, orthopedic procedures with regional anesthesia expose patients to high noise levels, often leading to increased anxiety, sedation use, and longer recovery times. Addressing this problem aligns with institution goals for safe, patient-centered care.

Methods: Using …

The Importance Of College Radio As An Experiential Learning Opportunity For Students, John Boggess

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As society evolves, journalism does too, and many universities are experiencing a significant shift from traditional outlets such as radio to more modern, digital platforms. College radio is a common resource of journalism schools to practice and develop professional skills, but with budget cuts and a lack of continued support from the university, it can be presumed that college campuses might be trying to phase it out. While radio may not be the most booming outlet in the world of journalism today, college radio still possesses the opportunity for students to gain the proper skills for the professional world that …

Technology-Driven Approaches For Invasive Species Detection And Management, Kushal Naharki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Invasive species pose significant ecological, economic, and management challenges globally. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata) are widespread invasive plants across the eastern United States and present persistent challenges, particularly in remote and inaccessible landscapes. Effective management of these species requires an integrated approach that combines early detection, targeted intervention, public engagement, and spatial modeling. This dissertation used emerging technologies to improve invasive species detection, monitoring, and management.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based platforms equipped with optical sensors were used to establish …

Walking In The Footsteps Of My Ancestors: A Deep Map Of Cherokee Forced Removal, Deborah Lyn Kirk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study of the place of Cherokee forced removal, I use a Third Space approach to blend Indigenous Methodologies, Deep Mapping, Geospatial mapping and analysis, and 3D Geography. Using a hybrid platform that provides a mélange of media types, storytelling forms, and interactive tools, I reimagine and retell the story of the Cherokee “Trail of Tears.”

In accordance with Cherokee philosophies of duyuktv, harmony, and “a good mind” I first sought out Cherokee sponsorship from community respected and culturally knowledgeable Cherokee citizens; partnered with the National Trail of Tears Association (NTOTA); submitted my research proposal to the Cherokee …

Evaluation Of Finger-Tightening Torque Applied To Implant Healing Abutments By Dental Providers With Varying Experience And Physical Characteristics: An In-Vitro Study., Bayan Abuhalimeh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Aim: The primary objective of this project is to measure the actual torque applied by dental providers when finger-tightening a healing abutment and assess the variability among individuals. A secondary objective is to analyze the correlation between applied torque and: provider experience level (residents, general dentist, specialist); gender; age; and, physical attributes (e.g., grip strength, hand size, and dominant hand used for tightening). The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the mean finger-tightening among the three groups of dental providers, and there are no significant differences in torque values among practitioners based on demographic and professional variables. …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Decrease The Length Of Stay In The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit For Children Undergoing Iv Anesthetic Inductions For Gastrointestinal Procedures, Kaylee Bahret Bangs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Pediatric patients at WVU Medicine Children’s (WVU-CH) are emerging slowly from anesthetics during diagnostic gastrointestinal procedures which delays discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit. The cumulative effect is an increased length of hospital stay and the associated increases in costs. This project explores a novel method to reduce the amount of medication pediatric patients receive by using virtual reality goggles as a nonpharmacologic intervention to reduce preprocedural anxiety.

Purpose: This quality improvement project seeks to reduce time spent in PACU for children undergoing IV induction GI procedures by using preoperative virtual reality (VR) headsets during IV placement …

Comparison Of Three Methods In Diagnosing Maxillary Transverse Discrepancy, Madison Hull Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction

There are several different methods in determining the maxillary transverse discrepancy (MTD). In specific, MTD can be determined with the help of a cone beam computer tomography (CBCT), 3D scan and models, or simply a 2D occlusogram.  Do they provide the same MTD values for diagnosing transverse discrepancies? A patient may need a certain amount of skeletal and dental expansion based on a diagnosis of MTD, but this amount may vary depending on the diagnosis method used. There is a lack of knowledge in the literature comparing 2D and 3D methods in determining MTD. Currently, methods in measuring MTD …

Implementation Of A Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Bundle To Reduce The Incidence Of Ventilator-Associated-Pneumonia And Improve Patient Care, Taylor Ryan Rice

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a concerning complication that can

develop from complications when a patient is placed on a mechanical ventilator. Endotracheal

intubation puts patients at risk for micro aspiration, which can lead to VAP.

Evidence Review: Nine articles were selected for review; after critical appraisal, seven were

kept for further review. Evidence in these articles shows that using evidence-based methods in a

VAP bundle can decrease the length of stay, mechanical ventilator days, and the incidence of

VAP.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to improve oral care for intubated patients and keep

the incidence of VAP …

Managing The Legacy Of Historical Land Use In Central Appalachia: Soil Health, Carbon Storage, And Restoration Across Disturbed Ecosystems, Kyra R. Dukich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Historical mining, intensive timber harvesting, agriculture, and atmospheric acid deposition have left lasting impacts on soil health throughout the Central Appalachian region, reducing soil productivity, carbon storage, and ecosystem resilience. This thesis evaluated restoration strategies across two long-term research systems in West Virginia to determine how land-use history and soil amendments influence soil health, carbon dynamics, and ecosystem recovery. The first study examined reclaimed mine lands and marginal agricultural soils planted with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or willow (Salix spp.) and treated with biochar or inorganic fertilizer. Soil greenhouse gas production, aggregate stability, total soil C:N, pH, and soil organic matter …

Genetics Of Mycangial Development And Host Colonization Within The Ambrosia Symbiosis, Mckeon James Laws

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ambrosia beetles, a polyphyletic group of weevils, utilize pouch-like structures at various locations on the body to transport for their sole food source, their fungal partner. Ambrosia fungi are known to originate from multiple unrelated fungal lineages with no consensus of traits required to become a fungal cultivar. While the biology and ecology of both partners is in many cases well understood, the genetic underpinnings of this fascinating mutualism remain a mystery. The aim of this dissertation is to add to the understanding of the ambrosia symbiosis by providing insights into its molecular and genetic underpinnings through RNA sequencing data, …

Cell-To-Pack Modeling Of Lithium-Ion Batteries: From Bayesian Parameterization To Pack-Level Optimization, Derek Slack

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One of the major hurdles for electric or hybrid aviation is the comparative energy density between lithium-ion batteries and jet fuel. To help obtain maximal power-to-weight ratio in electric or hybrid powertrains the battery pack design should be optimized to be as light as possible while meeting thermal safety and power requirements. The proposed solution is an optimization routine beginning with a cell-level parameter estimation of lithium-ion battery cells, where data driven Bayesian Gaussian Processes replace empirically or analytically derived parameters in a first principles electrochemical model in PyBaMM, as functions of the transient state of the cell. The resulting …

Assessment Of Emissions Factors For Produced Water And Other Atmospheric Liquid Storage Tanks On Natural Gas Sites, David Glenn Childs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the US natural gas (NG) sector continues to grow, concerns have increased regarding the effects and increasing volume of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. While NG is a cleaner burning fuel than diesel and gasoline, unburned methane (CH₄) has a global warming potential (GWP) 27-30 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). To better quantify CH₄ emissions on NG sites, the US Department of Energy (DOE) granted West Virginia University (WVU) funding to collect direct measurements at well sites and compressor stations.

In this work, a total of 18 sites, including controlled and uncontrolled …

Empowered Choices: A Quality Improvement Women’S Health Initiative In Faith-Based Nursing For Women Recovering From Substance Use Disorder, Jennifer Mewshaw

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Women with substance use disorder (SUD) face higher rates of unplanned pregnancy, reproductive infections, and delayed prenatal care. Faith community nurses (FCNs) often already serve within this community and have a long history of promoting public health interventions. However, they lack the knowledge and confidence in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education.

Evidence Review: A literature review identified barriers to SRH care for women with SUD and the role of FCNs in community and public health interventions. Evidence supports providing FCNs with the knowledge and skills to deliver SRH education and support for women with SUD using trauma-informed and …